With every sip, I felt the caffeine wake me up. I nudged closer to the heater. Na'gu'set shone throughout the kitchen, bringing warmth and awakening our sleepy home. I could tell 'ngij and nujj were already on their third cup of coffee by their fully engaged conversations. Wela'gweg pesaqap. The mountains behind us were freshly covered with a crystal blanket. Nipugt looked at me, inviting me for a walk. It had been a while since I'd gone out into nipugt and visited the wi'sisg and miti'sg. Soon I would be twenty. I should go out today...
"Going out for a snowshoe today, A'le's?" 'ngij asked me while she put on her coat.
"Maybe...the trails might be hard if no one has gone out yet," I said, looking at the fresh wastew through our dining room window. I know it will be good to get outside. Going to nipugt always helps to clear and ground my mind.
"Well, I would go with you, but I have to run some errands" she replied between braiding her hair and looking for her keys. People always ask 'ngij if she dyes her hair because of how black it is, but she never did. "I don't do anything to it! Only bear grease! Na pas'g" 'ngij would say to anyone who asked. I looked at nujj and all he said was "Ah Tu's, you know it's too cold for me." He continued drinking his coffee. Nujj enjoyed the summers more. Every June, nujj fished salmon with his brother, 'ntlamugsis Sa'n. But in the winter, he liked to stay inside.
"You need to learn how to live in Mi'gmaw, go out and speak it, think in Mi'gmaw," nujj's voice rang through my mind. Nujj always says that it's important to ground yourself when learning and speaking Mi'gmaw. It's easy to slip onto negative paths that have harmed our language for so long. But nourishing our spirit helps us to speak Mi'gmaw. "Give it time, gegina'masin Nnui'suti is a lifelong journey."
...
Stretching my arms high and yawning, I got up from my chair and put my empty coffee mug into the sink. 'Ngij left the house and nujj stayed at the table. I walked into my bedroom and changed out of my PJs. I pulled out a green shirt and the warmest leggings from my drawer, quickly glancing at myself in the mirror placed above my dresser. I slept with my hair in a braid last night, and a few pieces had fallen out. I tucked them back into place. People always say I remind them of 'ngij when she was my age. 'Ngij was outspoken at community meetings and didn't care what people thought of her. I thought I was the complete opposite. I finished getting ready and walked down the stairs.
"Tu's, ge' jugua. Can you braid my hair before you head out?" nujj asked me from the kitchen.
"Yup," I said while buttoning my coat and grabbing my bookbag.
I quickly divided his hair into three strands. I got to the bottom of his braid and gave it back to him. He finished tying it.
"Wela'lin, and don't forget we have family supper tonight," nujj said to me while he put his glasses on.
"Na to'q." I opened the door and walked out of the house.